Top Ten Period Drama Dresses

What's the one reason why we watch period dramas? Okay the plot is one... Yes, the acting is good... Yes, the heroes are dashing. Okay, so there is more than one reason why we watch period dramas. But one of the most common reasons that we watch period dramas is the costuming. Wouldn't we all love to wear a lot of those fashions that they wore back then today? They were so lovely and elegant! Why don't we wear something like today?

But anyways, we all have our favorite dresses and outfits from period dramas. Here are my top ten favorite period drama dresses.

#10. Emily Trevelyan's White Belted Dress from He Knew He Was Right

As a period drama, He Knew He Was Right was not the greatest. The subplots made it worth watching and on their own, they could have made a great period drama. The main plot, on the other hand, felt like you were watching a train wreck in slow motion that didn't get better as the story went on... But the costuming on main character Emily Trevelyan was very nice indeed! I love this white dress: it's dainty and a very clean look. The 1860s isn't my favorite fashion era (some of their fashions were a little bizarre), but this dress is very nice!

#9. Amy Dorrit's Work Clothes from Little Dorrit (2008)

Compared to the other dresses, this may seem like it pales in comparison to the other dresses. But nevertheless, this dress holds a special place in my heart. The whole outfit is so Amy: modest, meek, and practical. 

#8. Hetta Carbury's Walking Dress from The Way We Live Now

I've grown a fondness of the bustle era in which The Way We Live Now takes place. There were many nice tailored looks that complimented the bustle well. This is one of those outfits. The bodice is so well tailored to Hetta that it looks like such a classy look. And it is perfectly accented by lace coming out of the neckline and the sleeves.

#7. Princess Victoria's Yellow Dinner Gown from The Young Victoria

The extravagance! I love this dress! The puffed sleeves are reminiscent of the 1830s, but they are not the ridiculously big sleeves that were popular at that time. There's a noticeable puff, but not too big of a puff. Then there's the lace along the neckline. And the flowers? It's a very sweet look!

#6. Molly Gibson's Blue Jumper in Wives and Daughters

And also another favorite is a similar jumper worn by Emma Woodhouse in Emma (2009), but since I'm trying to have a variety of eras in this post, I'll just include this one. Usually, I dislike the fashions that were worn in 1830s period dramas: the sleeves are usually ridiculous, the hair is crazy, and it's simply not my favorite era. But this jumper and white blouse is definitely a favorite of mine! It's so cute and while not completely girly, it is definitely feminine. Now, I haven't seen any similar dresses in fashion plates from that time period, but still, this is a favorite dress of mine.

#5. Marguerite St. Just's White Picnic Outfit from The Scarlet Pimpernel

I've only seen The Scarlet Pimpernel once all the way through, and at the time it was one of the few Georgian period dramas that I've seen... So naturally, I fell in love with Marguerite's costuming (and her hair! She made big hair look amazing!). This picnic dress is a very summery look (at least to my modern eyes) and is very light and pretty.

#4. Georgiana Cavendish's Walking Outfit in The Duchess (2008)

Note: Georgiana is the lady on the right

So, I can't really recommend this movie: it was a bit depressing, didn't have a very good moral, and had quite a few inappropriate scenes. However, the costuming is awesome! This outfit that Georgiana wears is very nice. I love the shawl that is wrapped around her and accented with a brooch. Plus, I'm very interested in one day trying to make a bodice design like the one she has on in this picture.

#3. Marianne Dashwood's Robe from Sense and Sensibility (1995)

More popular around 1795 than the start of the true Regency era (which started in 1811), this kind of robe was worn both as day wear and evening wear. Marianne used it as day wear. This is another one of those costumes that I want to recreate. I like how the regular dress is also visible and the fichu that covers the neckline is a nice touch!

#2. Elizabeth Bennet's White Summer Gown in Pride and Prejudice (1995)

I liked this dress so much that I made my own version! Okay, so this gown was more reasonable for me to make on my sewing budget, but I still really like the gown. It's a simple gown, but there is enough details in it so it looks really nice. The pintucks at the bottom of the dress and at the bottom of the sleeves, the simple fabric with stripes going up and down: a simply lovely effect!

#1. Lady Mary's Red Dinner Dress

One of my favorite fashion eras is the early 1910s: it's reminiscent of the Regency Era in that there are some oriental styles and the empire waist was fashionable. Though the color is a little dark, I love the design of this dress. The fine embroidery on the overlay, the red sash, the oriental style! It's a very exquisite dress and is well suited to Lady Mary. This is definitely a dress I want to make one day.

So, those are my Top Ten Period Drama Dresses. Which ones are your favorites? Do you have any favorites that I have not listed here? Leave a comment!

I have a feeling that after reading the comments, I'm going to feel like, "Oh! I should have included that one!" Hehe!

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 God Bless,